Usage of Funds for 2017

Total cash donations received for 2017 amounted to $98,918.35.

For 2017, we were able to reach out to 1,030 beneficiaries with 1000 festive packs delivered in total. Since we received more than expected cash donations, we decided to spread the cheer a little further and acceded to several special requests.

Over the years, through the generosity from family and friends, we were able to support some individuals and families through a lump sum donation to help defray medical and living expenses.

1. For 2017, we had identified Mr John Danesh, whom is visually impaired and from a disadvantaged single parent home struggling with schooling and transportation expenses. His case was brought to our attention by his church pastor. With surplus funds, we were able to extend support in covering a portion of his academic expenses for 2 semesters (1 year) and transportation costs for several months through lump sum donation of $5000. John Danesh is a student currently pursuing a Diploma in Social Enterprise and Management and aspires to become a lawyer one day. We hope he will succeed against all odds to fulfill his dreams and are privileged to be able to reach out to him through the generosity of our donors.

2. We had also received requests for more help from families whom required more assistance. Through deliberation with the team, for these 4 households, we donated $100 cash instead of $50 each to help them tide over the weeks together with our festive packs

3. LHLH will also be organizing a Christmas party for more that 400 Trainees from MINDS similar to 2016 during the December Christmas holidays.

Usage of funds from 2017 Donations​- 994 households received $50 cash each$ 49,700.00- 4 households received $100 cash each as there were 2 recipients identified by the VWOs in these households $ 400.00- 26 recipients (Single and disadvantage mothers and ladies) from Project Smile Pte Ltd received $100 cash each $ 2600.00- Lump sum donation to John Danesh, whom is visually impaired and from a single parent disadvantaged family struggling with schooling and transportation expenses. The donation will go into covering his academic expenses for 2 semesters (1 year) and transportation costs for several months$5,000.00- NTUC Purchases for items festive packs $ 25, 796.96- Purchase of 2000 woven carrier bags strong enough to withstand the weight of items $2,900- Additional Purchase of 250 sets of Sugar (1kg) , Thosai Mix, Curry Powder & Chilli Powder $1,177.00- Purchase of 1000 btls of festive Murukus $3,000- Purchase of 1000 set of Villakus (Lamps) $1,252.75- Purchase of 100 packs of 5kg rice $1,300- Donation for funeral expenses given to beneficiary family whom passed away 5 days before the delivery of packs $150

​Grand Total of Expenditure for LHLH 2018: $93,276.71.

Balance of $5641.64, will be used to fund LHLH 2017/ 2018 outreach efforts.

1. UPDATE: [About the Beneficiary]Following the completion of last year’s outreach, we were contacted by a well-wisher in November whom referred us an individual whom was in need of a motorized scooter due to mobility issue. When we visited her, we were expecting a senior person, but met a very determined young lady.

Ms Santhi (Not her real name), 22 years old, has been diagnosed with spastic paresis since birth. Her condition took a toll since she became a teen and over the years her disability exacerbated her mobility. She became heavily reliant on a wheelchair and also physical assistance for daily needs. (Please see video below)

The LHLH team visited the family and gathered that she has been home-bound for the past 6-7 years and have not sought proper medical care or support due to various circumstances. LHLH formed a special ‘team’ to get Santhi proper medical attention and therapy as she required a specific wheelchair rather than a motorized scooter. The team also agreed to cover the cost the medical, occupational, rehab and motorized wheelchair costs.

LHLH also wrote to a few organisations to provide educational support and also accompanied Santhi for her medical review sessions. SINDA helped with her educational needs and also help secure a subsidized purchase of a laptop. Thank You SINDA.After close to 6 months of appeals together with KTPH MSW and Touch community services, we at LHLH are please to state that the $2700 cost of the electric wheelchair was subsidized by 60% . The total of the motorized wheelchair after the 60% subsidy was $1,070. (See Pic & Video) The total cost covered by LHLH for the medical consultation, occupational and rehab for the last 4 months was $748.60. Please see appended PDF for breakdown of medical expenditure and payment bill for the specialized motorized wheelchair.

Our work isn’t done yet. LHLH’s intent is to make her fully independent both at home and out of home so she can have independent future. We are now working with Santhi as the flat that she lives in doesn’t allow her to seamlessly have access in and out of the unit (See Pic). She still needs to be carried onto her new 35kg motorised wheelchair each time she needs to leave the home. As such, we are working to install a hydraulic ramp for her flat which costs $6500 and hopefully with the help of the agencies we will be able to defray the cost.

​Photos of Mr K Shanmugam , Minister for Home Affairs and Law speaking to John Danesh, whom is visually impaired and from a single parent family on the sidelines of LHLH 2018. ​

Beneficiary 2 Ms Santhi (Not her real name), 22 years old, has been diagnosed with spastic paresis. The 1st video shows her struggling to get onto a traditional non motorized wheelchair. The 2nd video shows on her very own motorized wheelchair, LHLH team members helped secure with the help of TOUCH Community Services.

2. UPDATE: Beyond our Shores…

In the spirit of giving during Ramadan, LHLH embarked on its first project reaching out to displaced individuals beyond our shores.We were approached by Mr Louis Ng (Grassroots Advisor for Nee Soon GRC) who has been a kind supporter of LHLH over the years, providing us the venue to pack and distribute the festive packs during the festival of lights. We at LHLH are grateful for his invaluable support and when he spoke to us about displaced individuals whom could benefit from what LHLH does, we just couldn’t say NO. After checking in with our donors, we proceeded with this year’s Ramadan outreach using surplus funds collected during last year’s festival of lights (LHLH 2017).

A total of $2,200 from the LHLH funds was used and converted to ringgit to provide iftar meals for 200 pax (Children and their family members). Using this funds, LHLH also provided 80 festive food/ goodie rations packs for the students and families.

We learnt that the teachers were paid only Rm600 per month and the whole sch was run through donations from well-wishers and without any other sources of funding. Many of themselves are also from the misplaced communities. Having seen the dedication, love and passion that they have for the children, the LHLH team decided to further top up the Ramadan Project budget by another $1,100. This amount was raised by a $500 contribution by Mr Shaikh Ismail and $600 contribution by LHLH 2018 team members.

As a special gesture, we provided the 9 teachers with a Ramadan Angpow of Rm300 each, which is a half month bonus.

We hope that through this sharing of iftar, food rations and gifts it will give them something to celebrate.

This gesture during Ramadan is just the start and LHLH will be working towards putting together multimedia educational resources as part of the children’s new school premises which is run by well-wishers and donors at the end of the year.